This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

An unsettling read that took time to get into. There were certain elements that i had to re-read to make sure i'd understand it, which detracted from the overall enjoyment for me.
I didn't enjoy it as much as other books in this genre,

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

WOW! what a page turner! This book had me up all night reading as I just needed to know how it was going to end!! loved it! from start to finish I was hooked the whole way!

Enjoyed this book and wasn't expecting the twist at the end. I did find Violet to be an irritating character at times but I think that was intentional, to show the effects of Bella's influence. I've yet to read a Samantha Tonge book I didn't like so I'm looking forward to her next one!

This was the perfect read. Evenly paced and a good thriller. I couldn't stop turning those pages until I had devoured the book. It is full of humour as well as romance. I really enjoyed this book.

I received this book from netgalley expecting something in the vein of Single White Female, which has become one of my favorite thriller variances despite the predictability.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book was not completely as I expected. It flips back and forth between the present (2016 I believe) and Violet's memories of 2001. I'll admit that the first quarter of the book was a little slow for me with the main twist being infidelity. However, it really picked up right around the time that Violet had her second "life is a fart" moment. I found myself really caring about the characters, especially Violet's book group. I found them to be sweet and they really added to the story for me.
In all, I enjoyed this one and it made me stop and reflect, which is odd for thrillers, which usually just make me check the locks again. 3.5 stars/5

This book is - or is trying to be - a crossover between women's fiction and thriller. It's basically all about women and what they think, say, do etc. combined with an action plot that from the very start is very suggestively going somewhere you will never guess where.

The ending is a classic modern crime novel ending - and, sadly, the kind that does not leave you wanting to tell your friends about it. It's not that it's predictable. It's just that in my opinion, these kinds of stories (because once you know the ending you do change your opinion about the entire story altogether) aren't really a thing you can call A STORY. It's more of an intriguing make-belief synopsis that gets you to buy the book just to know what happens, when instead you find out what was actually behind that synopsis, and not what happens. I mean, things happen of course. But the entire book idea is merely based on this one premise...and that well, for many readers can be a disappointment.

Normally, I am not a huge fan of women's books mostly because I often find myself disliking most of the female characters in them, as a woman myself not understanding how women writers can write up such dull female characters and then blame other women readers for not liking them. Are there really no deeper layers than men, make-up and our jobs?! The ladies in this book are so much more fucked up than men, make-up and their jobs...the grand twist that I can't reveal beforehand, so this did seem like a bit more mystifying read than just a murderous la-la-land where every girl is basically another re-write of the Shopaholic.

I didn't love any of the characters. And that was a good thing - for this plot that made it more engaging and page-turning.

I would say this is a book for women-readers who like a little edge. A tart surprise at the end of their cupcakes.

Thank you Canelo for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Knowing You by Samantha Tonge
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For me, this was a wonderful and engrossing book that I found difficult to put down. This book explored many difficult subjects, sensitively dealing with issues based around bullying, anxiety, self-esteem, loss and grief, amongst others. It was very emotional and melancholic in places but was also filled with hope. I loved the complexity of some of the characters and following their personal stories. The twist was very unexpected.

I loved this sensitive and emotive book. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from Canelo via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

This is a great holiday read. I felt the characters could have been a little more 'padded out' and I found the dual timeline a little confusing, but all in all, a good story

This is such an intriguing read. Violet has had difficulties with bullies since her childhood and it is clear that there are some difficult issues she has had to deal with. It is fascinating to see her reaction to the end of her relationship with Lenny and the effect that her choices have on the friendships she has formed. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that it was set within the publishing world and the friendship which grew up with a group of older bloggers who she befriended.

As the story develops, the atmosphere becomes darker and you begin to question what is going on. There are no spoilers here but I can say that there are some raw issues here which set this novel apart. The ending will cause you to have a sharp intake of breath and suddenly all the flashbacks to Violet's childhood make perfect sense.

In short: A deep dive into some dark issues.
Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

Well described characters and a very interesting story. I would definitely recommend this book .

An emotionally-resonant and warm read which is also completely gripping. I read this in one sitting, unable to stop turning the pages.

What a stunning novel that starts as a feelgood book, but has more depth than you think! A darker story, perfect for this time with lovely characters and unrevealed stories!

Violet is working at Thoth publisher and loves her work. It doesn’t feel as work, books are her passion. As a kid, she already adored books and they were her friends and she could forget everything between them. At school she was bullied and when she was between other kids she stood aside. They don’t love reading and she fell apart. School was hell and to cope with the pain she decided to meet new friends. Flint was her soulmate, but he needs to disappear, just like she lost somebody else she loved before. Now she is happy with her life and settled, but when Lenny drifted away she is devastated.

Violet is feeling terrible, but moves on and when she has a new flatmate Bella they decide she has to be an empowered, strong woman. Violet is doing everything to prove Lenny she didn’t need him and she is good enough. This is the beginning of a new perfect Violet. From the kind and genuine booklady who always was there for her friends and her bookclub lovers she is changing in a very selfish person who didn’t need anybody. Her colleagues and friends try to convince her Bella is no good and Violet is diminishing, but she ignores them. Of Course nobody is perfect and Violet is putting so much effort to be the beauty, well-trained fit body and to fit in she has no time for nothing else anymore then struggling to be the ideal woman…

Knowing you is an incredible story with difficult themes and I think it’s bold to write them down. Samantha Tonge has decided to write this book to let the world know you can beat “Bella” and the most important is to stay in touch with your soul and be your own unique self.

Knowing you has a part that “plays” in the present and a section in 2001 where you get to know more why she is the woman we met today. I loved the details about the book stuff, the book ladies of her book club at the retirement home and her colleagues. The story is starting as a Feelgood-story with humor, but then subtly evolve into a darker story. This novel develops as a psychological thriller with delicate and difficult secrets.

When the book gets more depth, it wasn’t possible anymore to put this down. I was sometimes mad at the new horrible Violet, but at another part I just want to say:

“Run away, listen to your heart and life isn’t easy, but hey, it’s going to be okay”.

I was truly gripped by this emotional and sensitive tale.
I adored it that men and woman could be sensitive in this engrossing book. Violet is a complex person with traumatic experiences that alter her personality forever.
What an unexpected twist and unbelievable secret fold out at the end, this book blows me away!
Samantha Tonge, I can’t wait to read your next one!

A brilliant read full of depth. It talks about friendship and emotion
This is a very well written book. It will take you places that you have never been before

4-5 stars! This book was a very engrossing read, which definitely captured my attention early on and didn’t let go until I was finished. While on the more dark, disturbing, and sinister realities of this world we live in today, it still was a very important and read. I thought it truly hit some areas that we are enduring a lot, and did so in a captivating and riveting way. You are sure to have many chills, thrills, and a bit of anger when reading this book, but will absolutely love it!
Will be recommending and using in a challenge in Chapter Chatter Pub!!

This was a really good story of many emotions we all have felt. Tonge shows us Violet's grief and heartbreak in such a realistic and relevant way.

It’s difficult to even do this book justice in a review. It’s completely absorbing and gripping.

I liked Violet as a character, and as she began to transform herself, I felt that she was losing her true self. We don’t get much insight into Bella when she arrives first, but I didn’t feel that she was good for Violet, and disliked her.

The insight into the world of publishing was fascinating and I was delighted that book bloggers even get a mention!

The tension builds slowly in the novel, and as we find out more about Violet’s childhood I really wanted to find out what had happened to Flint.

When the ending comes, there’s such a shock. I can’t say anything about this for fear of spoiling it, but just read this book, it’s amazing.

A shocking, tense and astonishingly clever and honest book. It’s a superb psychological thriller, but with so much more. It will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

An abrupt change; a new friendship; a dark secret...
Kind-hearted Violet has never fitted in, but despite being bullied at school is now content. She is dating ambitious Lenny, has her dream job in publishing and runs a book club at the local retirement home.

However, when her relationship with Lenny begins to falter, Violet, hurt and alone, seeks the advice of her new flatmate, Bella. She changes her image and with her head held high aims to show that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life to be happy and successful.

This is the first book that I've read by Samantha Tonge and I feel even from looking at the cover compared to her other publications - that it's a very different style for her to write.

It's hard to review a fabulous book such as this without giving away the punchline. But I'll try hard not to! I was gripped from the start - as well as frustrated. Frustrated for what the main protagonist was doing to herself - but it didn't make me dislike her character. Instead I saw how easy it was for a likeable easy going person to fall into a trap that so many of us are absolutely certain we would never fall into.

"My first love was an assistant manager at the local bookshop where I had a Saturday job. It was then that I realised the most attractive thing about a man was the width of his reading list."

Samantha Tonge traverses a very difficult subject with ease and without judgement. That's what made this book so special in my opionion. You may have an inkling throughout that you know where this book is going - and it's very cleverly done. But the scary thing is, that this is how it happens in real life too.

"I try not to think about it. But when I look in the mirror, I worry. I worry that the woman staring back isn’t me. She’s a stranger and I can’t find an instruction manual."

This novel flits between past and present to bring together the person that makes Violet who she is today. It's a tricky style to master but is done extremely well throughout this book - having us leap to conclusions and then reel ourselves in all over again at various moments.

4☆ Emotive, Tense and Thought Provoking!

I'm a big fan of Samantha's books, so when I see she was writing something a lil darker I jumped at the chance to get my hands on a copy.

I have to admit it took me a lil while to get into the swing of this one as it was a slower pace.
But once I got into it I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was more emotive and tense then dark which I adored.

Violet is an interesting character.
After splitting up with her long term boyfriend Lenny, she decides to give herself a change, with the influence of Bella her new flat mate, Violet is morphing into a whole new person. But is it for the better?

I loved the book club girls from the retirement home, they had so much fun and spirit. I seriously want to join their club, especially when there reading 'smut' lol
I can just imagine them sitting there reading the latest Mills and Boon Dare serie lol 😏

I really enjoyed the flashbacks into Violets childhood, it really added depth to her character as it made me feel empathy and relate to her more. I too was bullied all of my secondary schooling I hated school so much.

Knowing You is an emotive, thought provoking, and enthralling read that I couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
There was plenty of perfectly placed twists to keep you on your toes.
The Characters are relatable, very well developed and likeable.
For me the pace was a little slower that ramped up gradually toward the later half which created a dash of suspense and tension.

Knowing You is the perfect read if you enjoy women's fiction with a twist of tension and suspense.

Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.